Welding Digest

I recently got my first job in welding. What should I expect in the first week on the job? Do you have any tips?

First, congratulations on accepting your new job. Here are a few tips to help you prepare for a successful first week as you begin your new career in the metal fabrication industry.

On day one, you can expect an orientation and safety training. Additionally, everything from reviewing company policies to completing forms will be on the agenda.

Tanner Scott, ship superintendent at Vigor Industrial, Portland, Ore., stated, “New employees will receive their identification badge, be introduced to their supervisor, and then they will head into safety training for confined spaces, area lifts, fall protection, and fire watch.”

Scott also stressed the importance of having a good demeanor as you start your new role.

“Be prepared for simple tasks as your supervisor will be looking for a strong work ethic with a good attitude. Also understand that it is rare for a new employee to be assigned critical tasks. Plan to work your way up once you have proven skills and ability. With that, also understand that a steady work pace will allow you to be more productive. Think in terms of a consistent 80% effort per day, which will help you to prevent mistakes and keep your production rate on par with your team,” he stated.

Bill Brown, president of Bob’s Services LLC, Anchorage, Alaska, agreed with Scott about having a good attitude when starting your new job and had a few other tips to share.

“Attitude is 90%. Show up early, show up prepared, and be sure those around you know you’re thankful for a job in the career you’ve trained for,” he said.

When you start your new welder job, you might be expected to provide a few of your own tools. Top tools usually include:

• Toolbox, bucket, or bag
• Personal protection equipment for welding
• Squares and clamps
• Tape measures (16 and 25 ft)
• Pry bars, a hammer, and wedges

Take the time to ensure you know how the equipment operates before using it. This is an excellent time to ask questions instead of acting like you know it all, and it will pay dividends in assimilating into your team of coworkers.

Next, be prepared to take your time studying construction plans. Depending on the company, you may need to interpret napkin sketches and/or technical drawings. Regardless, the time spent here is essential to building your product correctly the first time. Brown encourages new employees to ask questions and never assume.

It’s also important to be process-orientated. A systematic approach to fabricating will increase a welder’s efficiency. For example, develop your parts list, cut and/or gather all parts, prepare parts, fit, and then weld out. This approach, coupled with predetermined stopping points to check for fitment accuracy, will pay off.

Finally, seek to understand the quality standards. What codes are you working with? What inspection points are required? Is your product ready for the next step (e.g., sandblasting, painting, etc.)?

Starting a new job always comes with excitement and anxiety. Preparation will help alleviate stress and allow for a smooth transition into your new career. Remember, this is what you have trained for.  

This article was written by Matt Scott (a welding instructor and the high school liaison for welding at Portland Community College, Portland, Ore.) for the American Welding Society.